Kevin Knox named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month

Kevin Knox was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the month for December. The ninth overall pick in the 2018 draft, Knox averaged 17.1 points per game for the month. Knox lived up to the promise he made earlier this season that he was going to stay aggressive and attack every defender that came in his way. With the team falling further and further in the rankings, the young talent gives the team a silver lining. The question is how much can fans expect from Knox throughout the rest of the season and the future?

A Look Back at this Season

Knox came into the league raw, only playing a year at Kentucky. Always the scorer, Knox scorched the summer league, increasing the expectations already placed upon him. For the first half of the season the rookie searched for his offense, toggling between starting some games and coming off the bench in others. Finally, Knox started to hit his stride, dropping a barrage of 20 plus point games in December, including a season high 26 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. Bit by bit, Knox has earned his way up to this recognition and it is well deserved.

Cultivating a Young Scorer

What Knicks fans should love about Knox is that at 19 he has already figured out a number of ways he can be dynamic on the offensive end. At times, fans have seen him blow by a defender and float the ball into the basket. At other times, he’s gotten the hot-hand from deep and released a flurry of threes. On some highlight reels, Knox can even be seen throwing down a dunk on opposing teams. Of course, his ability to grab boards cannot be over looked either. He still has to work on finding his shot on a more consistent basis and staying confident, but those things will come with experience.

If Kristaps Porzingis returns this season, his return will prompt Knox to continue to bring his best. Coach David Fizdale will continue to demand that Knox live up to to his expectations and not be worried about harsh critics. In fact, Fizdale even tried to arrange a meet and greet between Knox and LeBron James so that Knox can get some pointers from “the King.” What Fizdale and the front office are trying to cultivate in Knox is that he was brought to this city for a reason. That reason is because they believe that he can be great for this team, and that is exactly what Knox proved in December.

How Knox impacts New York

Now, one good month doesn’t make Knox the rookie of the year. However, great rookies have the ability to spark struggling franchises and the Knicks are struggling. With Kristaps Porzingis out, the team has to find a way to remain attractive to free agents. That is exactly the impact that Kevin Knox is having right now. While it’s not certain that a superstar like Kevin Durant or Anthony Davis will be heading to the Garden, the team needs to continue to look like an attractive destination for elite players. Playing the way Kevin Knox has ensures that prospective free agents keep their eye on New York.

In Conclusion

Kevin Knox made a statement in December through his play and his scoring. He is beginning to live up to the expectations that his drafting created. With him running next to Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks have a chance to bring a free agent to the Garden. On his own, Knox has a chance to develop into a true scoring threat. Kevin Knox has a bright future that the front office and David Fizdale believe in. Maybe fans and critics should too.